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Money, debts high in Texas county
Paula Lavigne of The Dallas Morning News used Census and state economic data to show that while residents of Collin County, Texas, are among the wealthiest nationwide, many also have large debts: “On average, Collin County residents have more credit card debt – $4,200 – and a lower net worth – $125,000 – than residents…
Read MoreHome prices rose sharply
Bob Fernandez and Alletta Emeno of The Philadelphia Inquirer analyzed real estate data from the region to find that a rising tide of prices is lifting many boats: “the gains are broad-based and remarkably even, with the median gain ranging from 13 percent in Bucks and Camden Counties to 17 percent in Philadelphia and Gloucester…
Read MoreVery few hold power in Richmond
Staff at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, along with Aaron Kessler used the social network analysis program UCINET and more than 50 interviews to investigate who really wielded power in Richmond, Va. The series includes a story about the four men central to Richmond’s power, a story about minorities and how political influence does not equal power,…
Read MoreState lobbyists spending nears $1 billion
An analysis by The Center for Public Integrity found that lobbyists and their employers in 42 states reported spending nearly $953 million in 2004 attempting to influence state legislators and executive branch officials. That figure is up from the $904 million reported in 2003. “It seems likely that state lobby expenditures will exceed the $1…
Read MoreRise in disability retirements plague funds
Beth Musgrave and Delano R. Massey of the Lexington Herald-Leader used local records to find that the city’s pension fund for police and firefighters is ripe for abuse: “Police officers who have run afoul of the law or departmental policy have retired on disability pensions before internal investigations could be completed or discipline handed down.”…
Read MoreResearchers sell secrets to Wall Street investors
Luke Timmerman and David Heath of The Seattle Times use sources and documents to investigate at least 26 claims that drug researchers leaked secrets to Wall Street. “In 24 of the 26 cases, the firms issued reports to select clients with detailed information obtained from doctors involved in confidential studies. The reports advised clients whether…
Read MoreAfrican-American voter turnout high
Nancy Cook Lauer of the Tallahassee Democrat used local voter data to show that federal oversight of elections in five Florida counties meant to ensure African-American participation seems to have worked: “voting behavior in the five counties under federal scrutiny – Collier, Hardee, Hendry, Hillsborough and Monroe – pretty much reflects voting behavior in the…
Read MoreFormer nuclear workers not receiving compensation
Keith Rogers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal used federal data to show that compared to nuclear workers at other sites around the country, Nevada Test Site employees have not received compensation for illnesses at the same rate. “Only 6 percent of test site workers have been approved for claims that typically pay $150,000 in tax-free…
Read MoreBlast site had history of problems
Dina Cappiello of the Houston Chronicle used state records to show that “the portion of the Texas City refinery that burst into flames July 28 was the site of repeated malfunctions that could have been prevented if BP correctly and more frequently performed maintenance on the unit.” The incidents included the installation of an incorrect…
Read MoreHurricane related building codes going unchecked
Steve Myers, Bill Finch and Brendan Kirby of the Mobile Register surveyed local governments to find that “numerous jurisdictions in Mobile and Baldwin counties have not been enforcing significant portions of their building codes, those designed to protect residential homes from hurricane damage.” Only two communities enforce the highest level of wind-resistance protection, and they…
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